Political Science, Legal, and Urban Studies

Jumpstart your career

Undergraduate degrees available in political science, legal studies, urban science and society, or Latin American and Latinx studies

The Department offers a variety of programs that help students build successful careers at the city, county, state, and federal levels, as well as in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Graduates work in Washington DC or in government offices around the world, while others have been elected or appointed to public office themselves. The department also has a high success rate of placing students in prestigious graduate and law school programs, including doctoral programs in political science. Here are some key national career statistics for majors in these fields from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and PayScale.

Starting Salary
$40,348-$59,727

Average Starting Salaries for Political Science/Legal & Urban Studies Majors (NACE)

Noteworthy Jobs and Mid-Career Salaries in these Fields (PayScale)

Public Policy Director $160,260 Urban Planner $68,800 Senior Paralegal/Legal Assistant $81,700 Intelligence Analyst $81,400 Human Resource Manager $121,220 Policy Lobbyist $117,363 Account Executive $96,673
Six months out of graduation
82%

Alumni in humanities and social sciences employed or in graduate school within 6 months after graduation

Get Prepared to Succeed

Our diverse faculty are specialists in local, national, and international politics with expertise in political theory, American government, public policy, comparative politics, international relations, constitutional law, Latin American politics, research methods, urban science, and forensic studies. The Department is also home to the University’s pre-law program, which provides the foundational legal knowledge and critical thinking skills for success in law school. Students can earn selection in honor societies including Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society) and Phi Theta Sigma Honors Law Fraternity. They can also participate in the Political Science Club, Model United Nations, and the Mock Trial Team, as well as study abroad programs.

What You'll Learn

In political science, legal, and urban studies programs, students learn in-demand skills that employers have identified as critical for job candidates, including:

  • Verbal and written communication skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Research- and problem-solving skills, among others

Key Career Skills for Political Science, Legal & Urban Studies Majors

as indicated by Employers and Alumni on LinkedIn

Community Outreach

Critical Thinking

Data Analysis

Digital Fluency

Public Policy

Research

Verbal & Written Communication Skills

*LinkedIn Workplace
Learning Report 2021